Beks' Takehttps://bekstake.wordpress.com
on film, fashion, beauty and funFri, 18 Aug 2017 05:03:16 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngBeks' Takehttps://bekstake.wordpress.com
Like: Bravehttps://bekstake.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/like-brave/
https://bekstake.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/like-brave/#respondMon, 25 Jun 2012 18:15:51 +0000http://bekstake.wordpress.com/?p=349]]>I had high hopes for Brave, mostly because I’ve loved the two most recent Disney Princess movies: Tangled and The Princess and the Frog. By not having a romantic plot line I thought that Disney / Pixar were going to push the envelope with this one but it just ended up being a predictable (though touching) plot without a great deal of character depth. The animation was beautiful and the 3D fun to watch, I just feel that they had the potential to make this film something truly unique. For a more indepth review check out my article on entertainista.com

Anyone who knows me know’s I’m pretty enthusiastic about original Canadian programming. We’ve got many gems, Corner Gas, Little Mosque on the Prairie, Flashpoint, and now we have Saving Hope. I really think this new surgical Drama is going to be another win for Canadian television. Picked up by NBC it follows the sucessful Grey’s Anatomy structure (new patient-interaction plots per episode weaving through the overall plot; scandalous hospital behaviour) but does so with playful Canadian humour. For a larger read on CTV’s Saving Hope check out my article on Entertainista.com

This week Emily, her boyfriends, and Ricki (!) go to beautiful Bermuda. They stay in the luxurious Rosewood Tucker’s Point resort / spa and the drama quickly starts to unfold. Arie’s jealous of Doug getting teh 1-1 date; Doug and Chris don’t think the other is fit for Emily; Ryan’s upset that Arie kissed Emily at last week’s rose ceremony, and Arie doesn’t think that Ryan’s in it for Emily.

The Group Date: During the group date we start to realize what a dirt-bag Ryan is*, Arie gets lots of beach-sided kisses, and Jef earns himself the group-date rose.

*In case you didn’t know Ryan is God’s gift to women, he also likes the idea of having a beautiful trophy wife.

The 2-1 Date: Poor John and Nate have to go on a date together with Emily. John left with a rose and Nate left Bermuda.

Cocktail Party:

We find out that Emily day dreams about Arie; she feels very strongly about Sean, despite their short time together; Emily ponders that Doug might be “the most perfect man that God has put on this planet”; Ryan wants to be the next Bachelor and thinks that though Emily’s got potential he’s meant for greater things….

Though I had higher hopes for this film it is still worth seeing. The cinematography has a well developed style, the costumes and hair are breathtaking, and we get bits of strong acting as well (especially through Charlize Theron).

Actors worth watching:

Charlize Theron — she won an oscar, this should come as no surprise. The woman’s gifted.

Chris Hemsworth — proving he’s more than just a (stunningly) beautiful face.

also follow me on twitter for updates on movies, tv, fashion, beauty, and …. current affairs (what a mixed bag!) @RebeccaLamarche

❤ RL

]]>https://bekstake.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/like-snow-white-and-the-huntsman/feed/0rebeccalamarchecharlize theronSo You Think You Can Dance — LA Auditionshttps://bekstake.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/so-you-think-you-can-dance-la-auditions/
https://bekstake.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/so-you-think-you-can-dance-la-auditions/#respondFri, 01 Jun 2012 05:13:41 +0000http://bekstake.wordpress.com/?p=309]]>What I love about SYTYCD is that it’s always such a visceral experience. Even in the audition rounds. You laugh, your skin rises into goosebumps, and — when something’s truely beautiful — you can’t help but cry. Last episode had some pretty beautiful work but if you missed it, don’t worry, I’ve got it recaped on entertainista.com :

I’ve seen the acting qualities of the cast come a long way as they find their groove together and just develop as actors. In particular I commend Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner. They have really progressed with their acting.

In the first few movies I really was bothered by Stewart’s acting chops. And yes, I had the bar high from reading the books like a fiend, but really I should be allowed to have the bar high for such a high profile movie. I found her portrayal of Balla as predominantly awkward instead of unsure. The negatives weren’t balanced with Bella’s other positive qualities (like … hmm okay she was kind of annoying in the books to). Anyways, to me it came across as if Stewart used to play Bella as a generality “awkward” instead of playing her with specificities. On top of this, her facial expressions were an ever constant lips-separated gaze / pout. Finally I really could not stand her vocals. I just have had a hard time getting past them. She grunts and moans and almost pants throughout the first film. I actually never realized how much Stewart’s voice hindered her performance until I watched the first movie in French; watching it in French made her performance far more enjoyable because there wasn’t all of that unnecessary breath work.

In this movie however, she’s found her game. She’s less general, and has more intensions in her scenes (i.e. when she chooses to call Rosalie when Edward gets out of the car, you could see her thinking things through). Maybe it’s partially because her character has just developed more, she’s willing to fight against Edward for something she actually wants that doesn’t fully involve him.

… I still can’t get over that she cries over not getting laid, but that’s not Stewart’s fault, it’s the scripts. Also, I still don’t like her and Pattinson’s kissing scenes. They aren’t passionate, they don’t make me want to smooch someone, they’re just kind of uncomfortable to watch.

Taylor Lautner: I have never seen Lautner as a stronger actor throughout these films. Until now. It’s his little expressions that steal the scenes. His looks of poorly disguised disgust as Bella scarfs down some blood seem genuine and make the act that much more believable. His mini snarky look when he’s thinking that the foetus probably wants to eat someone is telling before Pattinson’s explanatory line even comes.Bella’s Wedding Dress

the back of this dress is stunning, and perhaps reveals a bit of foreshadowing…

I thought that the wedding dress chosen was perfectly suited for Bella’s character. It fit Stewart perfectly and was sexy while still modest. The only thing that initially irked me is that it is such a mature style for someone who is still a teenager. But then I realized that is a reflection of Bella’s character who was always mature for her age (well at least compared to the other teens in Forks).

Make up

I hugely applauded the makeup department. I don’t know how much of Bella’s

the Makeup Department also skilfully created mystically beautiful creatures

transformation was computer generated but there were definite makeup components that need to be credited. Bella’s face looked sunken and sullen. Her chest bones were shadowed to show a cavernous form instead of her usual smooth fleshy build. Finally, her spine was exposed and protruding (reminiscent of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance music video) – again I don’t know if this was make up or CGI, but I would guess a minimum of both. Another interesting choice done by the Makeup Department was the specific decision to hire a contact lens technician—this made the vampire eyes believable, frightening, and beautiful in their own rights.

Camera movement

The camera is more kinetic in this film than others. Especially in the final scene where it swoops down along Bella’s body and creeps up to her face. We are in a tight close shot before her red-eyes pop open. The camera’s movements added tension, and even suspense, to the scene. It was silent (obviously) but incredibly powerful.

Cheese
On the whole, I thought that the wolfy scenes were handled pretty well. But the one scene where (spoiler) Jacob rebels against Sam, “I will not! I am the grandson of a Chief…”, was just so aerosol-cheese-bad) that I actually had to pause and look away from the screen while I quietly laughed.

CGI

As Edward’s venom spreads throughout Bella’s body we get a CGI transformation. Kristen goes from a corps to an instant jealousy-inducing beauty.

While we’re talking about the wolves though, let’s give some gentle props to the CGI people, I loved when the wolves snarled, the raising of the skin on either sides of their noses was a realistic touch.

Another thumbs up to the CGI team is during Bella’s vampire transformation. I liked the scene where the venom started to spread through Bella’s body. Furthering this, I liked how once it was going through we saw her hair colour revive, her flesh refill itself, her makeup intensify, and the shadows on her face recede – nicely done!

Give me a little more Continuity

Bella’s body is wasting away yet and she turns into somewhat of a skelator. Yet her engagement and wedding bands stay snugly on her finger…

Eye Candy

Foy: this 12-year-old is a knock out already. Watch out.

Baby baby baby… So in no particular order:

Taylor Lautner – opening few seconds and BOOM no shirt. They really were anxious to get that out there.

Robert Pattinson – okay there’s a whole gaggle of girls out there as you read who are just hacking away at their computers trying to hunt Edward Rob down.

Kellan Lutz – If I need to explain this or even comment more, you should probably stop reading this blog (only don’t).

Ashley Greene – “that chick from twilight” when coming from the lips of a guy, I am learning, usually does not refer to Kristen Stewart. They love her, and you know what, we all should! Besides the fact that I love how she plays Alice, she’s gorgeous. Koodos to her all around. Maybe it’s the way her eyes twinkle (Greene wears lash extensions), or the overall symmetry of her face; but she’s quickly becoming a much talked about actress.

Mackenzie Foy – the girl who’s the teen of Renesmee. She is a natural beauty. Even though she was only in frame for a few seconds, she left a startling impact.

Kristen Stewart– both naturally beautiful (pre-knocked up Bella) and mystically beautiful (vampire transformation Bella). Stewart is beautiful throughout all of the films, she really plays up that mysterious outsider; but when she begins her transformation into vampirhood she becomes painfully beautiful (watch out Rosalie, there’s a new beauty Queen in town).

NEW YEAR’S EVE walked the marathon. The movie never really took off. With over 16 big name stars, I would have liked to expect a great film. Unfortunately NEW YEAR’S EVE really fell through for me. I almost felt that, on the most part, because none of the stars were the “main character” they all just sort of showed up and winged it and that was that. The exception to this was Hilary Swank and Robert De Niro.

Swank was very compelling on screen. There is just something about her eyes that captivate me. I just get the feeling that her mind didn’t stop and that her character, Clair Morgan, was always trying to control her feelings but they were always just pushing through.

Swank & De Niro, strongest on set

De Niro plays a cancer dying patient who has refused treatment and who is “living on borrowed time”. He has lived a selfish life and has pushed his loved ones away from him, as a result he is alone and his last wish is to live till midnight and watch the Ball Drop from the Hospital roof. For a person as alive as De Niro I was impressed by how genuinely frail he seemed. In one scene he’s going through a slight delirium in which he confuses Nurse Aimee (Halle Berry) for his daughter and is trying to fix their relationship.

The final interaction between Swank and De Niro was so genuinely heart warming that I couldn’t help but cry a little in the cinema. In a film where character development is limited, and where each story line only gets so much time on screen, I was incredibly impressed by how moving their reunion was. Acting wise, their moments together were the best of the film.

Fall through

Josh Duhamel’s big speech comes up. It’s been one of his two big deals throughout the movie, he hasn’t even written anything to say for this big galla, it’s going to come from the heart. I wanted to, I really wanted to feel it with him – but I just couldn’t. He starts chocking up and addressing his dead father and, honestly, I felt nothing. It just seemed so random and out of place. There was no back story ever given, I don’t even think they mentioned him before the speech.

Duhamel’s speech and that bloody dog…. epic fails.

At this same Gala his mother’s giving an initial speech before Duhamel’s character even arrives. She’s in her fancy floor length evening dress holding what looks like a miniature white poodle (some small white curly haired shaven dog). Here the continuity is completely off! Every time the camera cuts to a different view the dog’s position moves from hanging over her shoulder to hanging over her wrist (almost like a purse) …. PEOPLE GET WITH THE PROGRAM. … Really it was just kind of laughable.

Favourite story line

Efron and Pfeiffer stole the show

The interaction between Paul (Zac Efron) and Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) was your classic Holiday feel-good. Basically, Ingrid is a middle aged woman who struggles with a self confidence / image complex, and who we get the impression has never really lived her life. As a result she’s starting her little midlife crisis and quits her job – the first thing on her list of new year’s resolutions. Ingrid however has Tickets to the a swanky masque Gala and bribes Paul with them – if he can creatively complete all of the crazy wishes on her lists that day he can have the tickets for the night. Efron and Pfeiffer have a really enduring, non romantic, chemistry. But what I have a hard time believing is that Paul would continue to try and help Ingrid complete her list after he was already given the tickets. Regardless, I found their story line adorable and very endearing. It gave you the “I know this would only happen in a Rom Com but there’s a romantic in me so I’m going to secretly dream of a version of this happening to me” feeling. HA!

Best part of the film

Honestly, the most enjoyable part of the film was at the very. Literally, all of the story lines had been resolved and it was just different

Efrona and Pfeiffer dancing

clips of the characters living their ending on the New Year. Mainly this involved Zac Efron and Michelle Pfeiffer dancing all goofy at the ball; what was also fun were the snippets of Bloopers in between the different clips. It was a really cute way to end the film— but really how sad is it that that was the most enjoyable part? Pretty disappointing for such a star studded cast.

the sink later fills with a blend of all my makeup from the past month — my pores are thanking me as I type

Hey dolls just quicky-tip for you.

Those brushes you use for your makeup daily, monthly, yearly? They’d love a quick cleaning! Mine are QUO and made with synthetic fibers but instead of buying the fancy cleaning solutions I just use some of my shampoo! Rinse your brushes under some warm water, swirl it around in a coin (toonie) sized amount of shampoo in the palm of your hand and then rinse them out while stroking the fibers. I’m always astonished by how much makeup (and likely dirt) comes out in the sink. Flick out the excess water out and leave them to dry on a clean surface (for me paper towels on my vanity).

I wash my brushes monthly, but I think I’m going to start to do it weekly. If you don’t want to use your shampoo (maybe you have very sensitive skin) use your face wash (mine is a sensitive solution that also acts as a makeup remover).

: ) Try it once and your face will thank you the next time you’re not whiping last-weeks products back all over it — yuck!

<3RL

]]>https://bekstake.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/beauty-brush-clean-up/feed/0rebeccalamarcheETNA3GMan Candy of 2011https://bekstake.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/man-candy-of-2011/
https://bekstake.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/man-candy-of-2011/#respondWed, 04 Jan 2012 03:30:53 +0000http://bekstake.wordpress.com/?p=184]]>In lieu of the new year I figured it was only appropriate to reflect on the Babes of 2011. So here is my pick for the top 5 hottest men of the past year — wonder if they’ll make the cut next new years.

— Now I realize that this is almost not fair, after all the turn phrase this year has been “the year of Gosling” or “the summer of Gosling”, but really he just kills it and in a very stylish manner. Starring in 3 blockbusters this summer / fall (Crazy Stupid Love; The Ides of March; Drive), our Canadian beauty proved that he’s still worth talking about years after The Notebook.

But lets be honest, we don’t just love Gosling for his acting chops, we also love him for his looks… Ironically Gosling partially got his breakout roll in The Notebook because director, Nic Cassavetes, thought he wasn’t a babe at all. According to the British magazine Company Cassavetes told Gosling “’I want you to play this role because you’re not like the other young actors out there in Hollywood. You’re not handsome, you’re not cool, you’re just a regular guy who looks a bit nuts.” HA! Well thank you Cassavets for bringing to light one of the biggest heartthrobs since ‘04. … Also, every girl would love to be kissed by Gosling — he just makes it look so damn good!

this man is stunning, the song “these eyes” was clearly inspired by him — LOVE.

❤ – –because vampires are now their own tv genre and he’s the hottest one around. Somerhalder OWNS every girl’s dreams in his role as Damon on The Vampire Diaries. He perfectly illustrates the badboy with a heart of gold, while never dropping his dangerous edge. Arguably his most heart-jilting physical quality are his penetrating and electric bold blue eyes. His eyes are two shades of blue, a dark blue ring surrounding a light aquine blue. They’re almost metaphoric of Damon’s character. … Honestly I die every time he’s on screen. EVERY TIME. And gladly

okay so he’s never really done it for me, but I have to admit there’s this sort of mystique around him. He has this weird balance between rough around the edges and polished. Furthermore, not only did he co-host last year’s Academy Awards, but he was Oscar nominated for “Best Actor” for his performance in 127 Hours; AND he’s the face for Gucci’s men’s fragrance line. … I only wish that someone would please groom his eyebrows a little better?

Everything about him is just so beautiful! His eyes, cheek and jaw bones, hair, skin — Delicious.

– babe; boyish but still manly; beast…Hello, I don’t know where everyone’s been but he’s clearly the hottest of the Cullen Clan…and of the wolf pack. Actually, I really feel like I shouldn’t have to explain how hot he is so I just won’t. (sexy!)